Intelligence Analysis: Theory and Practice

Catalog description

Introduces students to the theory and practice of intelligence analysis. During this course, students rely heavily on analytical case studies to highlight the various structured analytic techniques used by most intelligence analysts to identify biases, challenge assumptions, develop alternative explanations, and learn to examine evidentiary evidence more closely. Also examined are the ways in which common cognitive biases can skew analysis and focus on ways analysts can overcome them. Students also learn the various types of information available to intelligence analysts, as well as the best strategies to build an analytical assessment/argument. Additionally, given this is a course focusing on the “practice” of intelligence analysis, students are asked to produce several intelligence assessments in memorandum format, as well as an in-depth research paper on an intelligence-related topic. Lecture Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 80 Repeatability: May not be repeated for credit. Grade Mode: N- Normal (A, B, C, D, F) Major Restrictions: INSC- Intelligence & Security Studies Schedule Type (Primary): Asynchronous Instruction Click here for the Schedule of Classes.